Question 1

Painting brick in a Centretown heritage district, allowed?

Accepted Answer

The Centretown Heritage Conservation District Plan says directly that "painting brick or stone is not appropriate." That is the plan's guidance for properties in that district. Because Centretown is a heritage conservation district, the Ontario Heritage Act also applies. Under section 42(1), an owner in a heritage conservation district cannot alter any exterior part of a property without a heritage permit, unless the district plan describes the work as a minor alteration that is exempt.

Question 2

Do I need a heritage permit to repoint in Centretown?

Accepted Answer

Centretown has a heritage conservation district plan, and whether you need a heritage permit depends on what the plan says about your specific work. For repointing, the Centretown and Minto Park Heritage Conservation District Plan (Final Draft, June 2022) lists "regular ongoing maintenance such as repointing and foundation repairs using heritage methods and materials" as work not requiring a heritage permit. The phrase "heritage methods and materials" is the deciding factor.

Question 3

Is my house in an Ottawa heritage conservation district?

Accepted Answer

Only the City can confirm it. Ottawa has over 300 individually designated buildings and 20 heritage conservation districts, and the City keeps a Heritage Register that also lists some properties that are not designated. The difference matters for masonry work: - A property designated under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act needs council's written consent before an alteration likely to affect its heritage attributes. Its own designation by-law says what those attributes are.

Question 4

Is an Ottawa heritage approval also a building permit?

Accepted Answer

Heritage approval and a building permit are two separate things, issued under two different laws. Getting one does not satisfy the other. Heritage approval comes under the Ontario Heritage Act. If your property is individually designated under Part IV, you need council's written consent before altering anything likely to affect the heritage attributes.

Question 5

When can I apply for the Ottawa heritage property grant?

Accepted Answer

Applications for the 2027 Heritage Property Grant Program are accepted from October 19 to November 30, 2026. That is the window to watch if you are planning masonry work on a designated property. The grant is available for buildings designated under Part IV or Part V of the Ontario Heritage Act, on a matching basis, up to $15,000 for small-scale buildings and up to $35,000 for large-scale buildings.

Heritage Masonry

Painting brick in a Centretown heritage district, allowed?

Do I need a heritage permit to repoint in Centretown?

Is my house in an Ottawa heritage conservation district?

Is an Ottawa heritage approval also a building permit?

When can I apply for the Ottawa heritage property grant?